Connection for a distribution network

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a mobile device comprising an apparatus for generating electric energy ( 2 ), which is connected to an energy distribution network containing branches ( 4, 5 ) to the electric consumers. A switch unit and distribution unit connected to the energy generating system ( 2 ) comprises a switch ( 3 ) which is arranged upstream from the branches ( 4, 5 ). The consumers are connected to the switch unit and distribution unit by means of flexible conductors with connectors on the end. Means are provided to ensure that the connectors can only be separated when there is no current.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a U.S. National Phase Application ofInternational Application No. PCT/EP01/11113, filed Sep. 26, 2000, whichclaims priority to German Patent Application No. 100 49 196.0, filedOct. 5, 2000, both of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention is generally directed to a mobile device comprisingan apparatus to generate electrical energy, which is connected to anenergy distribution network containing branches connected to electricalloads, with at least one of the loads being intended for the propulsionof the mobile device.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] A mobile device, which comprises a fuel cell intended for thegeneration of electrical energy and which includes the distribution ofenergy to electrical loads that are arranged in a high-voltage networkthat is connected to the fuel cell, has been disclosed in German PatentApplication No. 10006781.6. The mobile device, which in particular maybe a motor vehicle, comprises further loads, which are arranged in alow-voltage network that contains at least one storage battery inaddition to the loads and is connected to the high-voltage network viaat least one dc-dc converter. Connected to the fuel cell is a centralmonitoring and control unit, which contains a contactor or powercircuit-breaker for the fuel cell that is connected to the outputs orterminals of the fuel cell. Connected to the fuel cell powercircuit-breaker are the lines of a high-voltage radial network, whichcontains the electrical loads. The radial branches of the network areequipped with fuses.

[0006] The central monitoring and control unit is equipped with meansfor measuring and monitoring the electrical variables of the networksand by opening the fuel cell power circuit-breaker disconnects thebranches of the high-voltage network prior to the occurrence ofoperating states that are undesirable or hazardous for the network andits operation. In between the central monitoring and control unit andthe electrical loads, the electrical interconnecting cables of thebranches are executed as flexible conductors, e.g., cables. At theirends, the flexible conductors are equipped with plug-in connectorelements that correspond to plug-in connector elements that are mountedon or in the housings of the monitoring and control unit or of the loadsand these connected elements are connected in a detachable manner. Theflexible conductors may, for example, be arranged in cable harnesses andduring assembly are connected on or in the housings via their associatedplug-in connector elements. The plug-in connector elements aredisconnected for certain maintenance and repair work.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In brief, this invention is directed to a mobile devicecomprising an apparatus to generate electrical energy, which isconnected to an energy distribution network containing branchesconnected to electrical loads.

[0008] In one embodiment, a mobile device comprises an energy generatingsystem, an electrical load and an energy distribution network, whichcomprises a branch coupling the energy generating system and theelectrical load. The energy distribution network further comprises aswitching means, a switching plug-in connector element coupled to theswitching means, a load plug-in connector element coupled to theelectrical load, and a flexible line comprising a first plug-inconnector element, adapted to engage the switching plug-in connectorelement, and a second plug-in connector element, adapted to engage theload plug-in connector element. Each of the plug-in connector elementshave a branch contact for forming an electrical connection between theenergy generating system and the electrical load, and each of the firstand second plug-in connector elements have a device with a contact meansfor opening and closing a line section of a control circuit of theenergy distribution network. When the first and second plug-in connectorelements are joined to, or separated from, the switching plug-inconnector element and the load plug-in connector element, respectively,the contact means close later, or open earlier, than the branch contactsand when the contact means are closed, the switching means is closed,and when the contact means are open, the switching means is open.

[0009] These and other aspects of this invention will be apparent uponreference to the attached figures and following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a representative electrical energydistribution network in a mobile device comprising an energy generatingdevice and electrical loads, which are connected by lines with plug-inconnectors at their ends to a central switching and distribution unit.

[0011]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an additional representativeelectrical energy distribution network in a mobile device comprising anenergy generating device and electrical loads, which are connected bylines with plug-in connectors at their ends to a central switching anddistribution unit, which in turn is connected to the loads via furthercontrol lines.

[0012]FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section—partially schematic—of aplug-in connector with a first and second mechanical locking mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The problem to be solved by the invention is to specify a mobiledevice comprising an apparatus for the generation of electrical energyand electrical loads that are arranged in an energy distributionnetwork, which is connected to the energy generating device and in whichbranch lines are equipped with plug-in connectors that can bedisconnected manually and are only disconnected when in a de-energizedstate.

[0014] The invention provides a solution to this problem in a mobiledevice of the above-mentioned type by means of the following features:(i) the electrical loads can be connected and disconnected by hand—usingflexible lines that are equipped with plug-in connector elements attheir ends—to the plug-in connector elements of a switching anddistribution unit; (ii) the plug-in connector elements arranged at theload side of the flexible lines can be connected and disconnectedmanually to/from the plug-in connector elements of the loads; (iii) eachof the plug-in connector elements attached to the flexible linescontains a device with contact means for opening and closing of a linesection of a control circuit, whereby these contact means are openedprior to and closed after the contacts that are arranged in the plug-inconnector elements of the branches of the energy distribution network;and (iv) opening the contact means of one or several devices opens oneswitching means that is arranged before the branches in the switchingand distribution unit and/or switching means arranged in the individualbranches, and when the contact means of the device are closed, the oneand/or the several switching means are enabled to be closed.

[0015] Contact means that ‘open prior to’ or ‘close after’ contacts arecontact means that will only be closed after other contact means haveestablished a connection and will be opened before these other contactmeans are disconnected. The switching means are, in particular, switchdisconnectors or power circuit-breakers, which in their open stateisolate the branches against the terminals of the energy generatingdevice.

[0016] In the mobile device according to the invention, the plug-inconnectors are pulled apart in a de-energized state. Detaching theplug-in connector elements at the switching and distribution unitresults in a de-energized state of the contacts of the plug-in connectorelements arranged on the supply side of the energy distribution network,since the switching means in the branches will be opened. The load-sideends of the contacts of the plug-in connectors of the energydistribution network will be de-energized. If the plug-in connectors atthe load-side ends of the flexible lines are separated by hand, then thebranches are disconnected before the contacts of the energy distributionnetwork, which is at a high voltage, are opened. Plug-in connectorelements are components that can be combined with other plug-inconnector elements to form plug-in connectors and connect electricallines.

[0017] Since the disconnecting of the plug-in connector elements takesplace when the contacts of the energy distribution network, at the highvoltage, are de-energized, no electric arcs can occur that could damagethe contacts. Also prevented is any endangerment of persons who separatethe plug-in connector elements. Consequently, it is not necessary forthe plug-in connector elements to be of a strength to be able towithstand the electric arcs associated with a high contact interruptingrating.

[0018] It is practical if the plug-in connector elements at the flexiblelines that may be connected on or in the switching and distribution unitare equipped with blade contacts, while the contacts of the energydistribution network arranged on or in the switching and distributionnetwork are executed as spring-mounted contacts or socket contacts andthe plug-in connector elements arranged at the load-side ends of theflexible lines are equipped with socket contacts, which engage with theblade contacts of the plug-in connector elements of the loads. Thisembodiment may be designed so that switching means in the loadsde-energize the plug-in connector contacts during the disconnecting ofthe load-side plug-in connector elements without switching off theswitching means of the switching and distribution unit. Given a normalhandling of the flexible lines, an endangerment of personnel is ruledout by the design of the load-side plug-in connector elements at theflexible lines as spring-loaded or socket contacts.

[0019] Opening the device with the contact means or separating theplug-in connector elements of a plug-in connector on the load side ofthe flexible lines causes the load to be stopped, i.e., to be put into aharmless state.

[0020] The devices for opening and closing lines sections preferably arecontact bridges or cable links in the plug-in connector elementsconnected to the flexible lines and are connected to connector contacts,which may be connected to connector contacts in plug-in connectorelements of the switching and distribution unit or of the loads. Thisembodiment is characterized by an especially simple design.

[0021] In another favourable embodiment, the devices for closing andopening of line sections are switching devices, which are arranged inone of the two corresponding plug-in connector elements, will be putinto a closed state by the other plug-in connector element when theplug-in connector elements are connected, and will be open if the otherplug-in connector element is absent. The switching devices preferablyare micro-switches. One advantage of this embodiment is that there is noneed for the plug-in connector elements at the flexible lines to containcontacts and lines for control circuits. Projecting elements foractuating the switch contacts are sufficient.

[0022] It is practical for the loads to be equipped with control unitsto detect the control state of the contact means of the respectivedevice for opening and closing of the line section, whereby the controlunits are connected via a bus to a control unit, which is situated inthe switching and distribution unit and is designed to control the oneor several switching means. Signals that indicate the connecting of theplug-in connectors are transmitted via the bus to the control unit inthe switching and distribution unit, so that the control unit can setthe switching means accordingly.

[0023] A circuit, which is only closed if all of the plug-in connectorelements at all plug-in connectors of the energy distribution networkare connected, is connected to the control unit in the switching anddistribution unit. Consequently, the control unit in this embodimentwill immediately detect if one of the plug-in connector is disconnected,which enables a very rapid reaction to any changes of the state of theplug-in connectors.

[0024] Preferably there exists a source for an auxiliary supply voltageor control voltage, which is connected to the operating coil of the oneswitching means or the operating coils of the several switching meansafter being enabled by the control unit in the switching anddistribution unit when the contact means of the devices in the plug-inconnectors for opening and closing of line sections are closed. Inparticular, this auxiliary supply voltage or control voltage is theoperating voltage of an electrical network, which possesses a lowernominal voltage than the energy distribution network with a voltage of,for example, the magnitude of a heavy-current low-voltage network andcontains a storage battery in addition to electrical loads. Theoperating voltage of this additional energy distribution networkpreferably is between 12 and 14 V. For this reason, this further networkhereafter will be referred to as the low-voltage network.

[0025] It is favourable for the control units in the loads of the energydistribution network to contain processors, each of which is connectedwith one input to a tap of the respective device for opening and closingof a line section and the control voltage or auxiliary supply voltage isapplied to the input when the contact means of the device are closed,whereby the processors are connected via the bus to the switching andcontrol unit in the switching and distribution unit, and whereby oneinput of the control unit in the switching and distribution unit isconnected to the tap of the series-connected contact means of the devicefor opening and closing of the line sections of the controlcircuit—which is supplied by the control voltage or auxiliary supplyvoltage—in the switching and distribution unit, and whereby the oneand/or several switching means is/are enabled to be closed when theauxiliary supply voltage or control voltage is applied to the inputs ofthe processors and of the control unit. This layout does not require aseparate control line for the control voltage between the loads and theswitching and distribution unit. The already present bus is used tosignal the opening and closing of the contact means for the auxiliarysupply voltage at the plug-in connectors.

[0026] In an especially practical embodiment, the plug-in connectors areequipped with a double locking device, whereby a first locking mechanismengages in the plug-in connectors after the contacts of the branches ofthe energy distribution network have closed and a second lockingmechanism engages after the closing of the contact means of the devicefor opening and closing the line section of the control circuit, wherebythe two locking mechanisms are coupled in a manner so that the firstlocking mechanism can only be unlocked after the second lockingmechanism, which can be unlocked manually, has been unlocked and thecontact means have been manually disconnected.

[0027] Removing the plug-in connector requires two steps: the first—inparticular mechanical—connector interlock is released. Pulling apart theconnector all the way to the second—in particular mechanical—connectorinterlock disconnects the bridge in the control voltage line, and as aresult of this a switch-disconnector de-energizes all high-voltageplug-in connections.

[0028] The first connector interlock exposes the second interlock(ensures that the connector can not be pulled without safety shutdown).Only now is it possible to completely separate the respective plug-inconnector. This time sequence is ensured by the mechanicaltwo-stage-connector solution.

[0029] Preferably, the mobile device is a motor vehicle.

[0030] In the following, the invention will be described in more detailwith the help of embodiments shown in the Figures, which will illustratefurther details, features, and advantages.

[0031] A mobile device 1, in particular a motor vehicle, contains anelectrical energy generating device 2, preferably a fuel cell, whichmay, for example, be a PEM fuel cell. A power circuit-breaker orswitch-disconnector 3 is connected to the outputs or terminals (notlabelled) of the energy generating device 2, which, during operation,outputs a direct voltage of, for example, 200 V or higher, for example450 V. For this reason, the energy distribution network is referred toas high-voltage network.

[0032] On its output side, the circuit-breaker or switch-disconnector 3is connected to branches 4, 5 and further branches (not shown) of ahigh-voltage radial network. The circuit-breaker or switch-disconnector3 is located in the housing 6 of a switching and distribution unit 7.

[0033] Inside the housing 6, the branches are arranged as stripconductors, e.g., on a printed circuit board, or as conductor bars, andextend to the plug-in connector elements 8, 9, which are arranged in oron the wall of the housing 6 and are rated for the voltage of the energygenerating device 2, the voltage of which is higher than the voltagethat has up to now been used for electrical loads in motor vehicles andis of the same magnitude as the low voltage of a heavy-current network.On account of the nominal voltage of up to 450V, the network connectedto the circuit-breaker or switch-disconnector 3 hereafter is alsoreferred to as high-voltage network.

[0034] The energy generating device 2 is located inside the housing 6 ofthe switching and distribution unit 7 or is connected to this housing 6.Also located inside the housing 6 is a sensor monitoring and controlunit 10, which is connected to sensors (not shown) to detect theoperating states of the energy generating device 2 and of thehigh-voltage network and contains at least one processor, which isconnected via a CAN bus 11 to sensor and control units 12, 13, of atraction drive unit 14, of a compressor unit 15, and further auxiliaries(not shown) for the energy generating device 2. The traction drive 14consists for example of a unit that comprises a power converter and adrive motor 16. The traction drive 14 is controlled by a processor 17 ofthe control unit 12. The compressor unit 15 contains the control unit 13with a processor 18 and a power converter (not shown) that supplies thecompressor, which is provided to supply the energy generatingdevice—which in this case is a fuel cell—with air. An accessory driveunit (not shown) contains for example fan motors and a pump motor forcoolant.

[0035] In addition to the high-voltage network, the mobile device 1contains a further network 19, which possesses a lower voltage of inparticular 12 to 14 V. This low-voltage network 19 contains electricalloads such as windshield-wiper motors 20, heater circuits 21, andpower-window motors, light fixtures, lamps, etc. (not shown), as well asa storage battery 22. The low-voltage network 19 is connected to thehigh-voltage network via a dc-dc converter (not shown), which cantransmit energy in both directions. The storage battery 22 is chargedduring the transfer of energy from the high-voltage network to thelow-voltage network 19.

[0036] The energy in the high-voltage network is transferred viaflexible lines, such as a cable 23 to the compressor unit 15, a cable 24to the traction drive unit 14, and cables (not shown) to theauxiliaries. In a corresponding manner, energy is supplied to the dc-dcconverter via a branch (not shown) that contains a cable. The cables 23and 24 are components of the respective branches 5 and 4 and consist oftwo or more flexible electrical wires. The ends of the cable 23 areequipped with plug-in connector elements 25, 26 of plug in connectors27, 28. In a corresponding manner, the ends of the cable 24 are equippedwith plug-in connector elements 29, 30 of plug-in connectors 68, 69, andthe ends of the not-shown cables are equipped with plug-in connectorelements of not-shown plug-in connectors.

[0037] The plug-in connector elements 9 and 25 can be combined to formthe plug-in connector 27. In a corresponding manner, the plug-inconnector elements 8 and 29 can be combined to form the plug-inconnector 68. The plug-in connectors may be coded to prevent mistakesduring assembly. The plug-in connector elements 26 and 30 correspond tothe plug-in connector elements 31, 32, which are located at thecompressor unit 15 and the traction drive unit 14, respectively.

[0038] As explained by the above comments, each plug-in connectorconsists of two parts or elements, one of which is equipped with bladeelements, which can be inserted into the spring-mounted elements of theother part. For example, the plug-in connector elements 8 and 9 areequipped with spring elements, while the plug-in connector elements 29and 25 possess blade elements. The plug-in connector elements 26 and 30are equipped with spring elements and the plug-in connector elements 31and 32 possess blade elements.

[0039] The invention guarantees that during the separation of theplug-in connector elements 25, 29, 26, 30, i.e., when the plug-inconnectors 27, 68, 28, 69 are separated by hand, no voltage will bepresent at the contacts of the energy distribution unit. Consequently,the plug-in connectors cannot be separated under load, which ensuressafety when working at the high-voltage components.

[0040] The plug-in connector elements 25, 26, 29, and 30, that areattached to the flexible lines, contain devices with contact means toopen and close line sections of a control circuit 33, 34 or 35. Thecontrol circuits 33, 34, and 35 are supplied with an auxiliary supplyvoltage or control voltage that is significantly lower than the voltageof the high-voltage network. In particular, this auxiliary supplyvoltage is the voltage of 12-14 V of the low-voltage network 19.

[0041] The control circuits 33, 34, and 35 are connected to the sensorand control unit 10 and the control units 12 and 13, respectively. Inparticular, the control circuits 33, 34, 35 are connected to inputs ofthe processor in the sensor monitoring and control unit 10 and theprocessors 17 and 18. Depending on whether the control circuits are openor closed, i.e., depending on whether the processor in the control unit10 and the processors 17 and 18 detect the control voltage or auxiliarysupply voltage of 12-14 V at one of their inputs, the control units 10,12, 13 influence the control state of the switch-disconnector or powercircuit-breaker 3. It is also possible to use a different signal, e.g.,a pulse-width modulated signal or a current signal—instead of thecontrol voltage or auxiliary supply voltage of 12-14 V—to monitor theopen or closed state of the control circuits. For at least one opencontrol circuit 33, 34, 35, the switch-disconnector or power circuitbreaker 3 is open. When the control circuits 33, 34, 35 are closed, theswitch-disconnector or power circuit-breaker 3 is enabled to be closed,and will be closed when, for example, the control unit 10 has issued anappropriate command. Such a command is dependent on the conditions inthe mobile device 1.

[0042] When the plug-in connector elements 9 and 25, 8 and 29, 26 and31, or 30 and 32 are mated, the devices to close and open the linesections of the control circuits 33, 34, and 35 by means of the plug-inconnectors 27, 68, 28, and 69 will ensure that the contacts of theplug-in connector elements 9 and 25, 8 and 29, 26 and 31, 30 and 32 willbe connected before the contacts of the contact means will be connectedthat close the line sections of the control circuits 33, 34, 35.Consequently, the control units 10, 12, and 13 will only detect theauxiliary supply voltage or control voltage after the contacts of thehigh-voltage circuits have been closed in the plug-in connectors 27, 68,28, 69, and will then—in the event that all circuits have beenclosed—enable the closing of the switch-disconnector or power circuitbreaker 3. The control units 12, 13 will signal the presence or absenceof the auxiliary supply voltage or control voltage at their inputs thatare associated with the respective control circuits 34, 35 to thecontrol unit 10. Subsequently, this control unit 10—in dependence on theauxiliary supply voltage or control voltage at the sensing inputs of thecontrol units 12, 13 and at its input that is connected to the controlcircuit 33—will enable the switch-disconnector or power circuit breaker3 to be closed.

[0043] When the plug-in connector elements 9, 25; 8, 29; 26, 31; 30, 32are separated manually by pulling the plug-in connector elements 25, 29,26, and 30 from the plug-in connector elements 9, 8, 31, and 32 that arepermanently attached at or in housings, the line sections of the controlcircuits 33, 34, 35 will be opened before the contacts arranged in thehigh-voltage network will be separated. After the line sections in thecontrol circuits 33, 34, 35 have been disconnected, the control units10, 12, 13 will detect the absence of the auxiliary supply voltage orcontrol voltage at their sensing inputs, which causes theswitch-disconnector or power circuit breaker 3 to be opened.Subsequently, the separation of the contacts in the high-voltage networkof the plug-in connectors 27, 68, 28, 69 takes place in a de-energizedstate.

[0044] One output (not labelled) of the control unit 10 is connected toa switch (not shown), which is located in the circuit of the operatingcoil 36 of the switch-disconnector or power circuit breaker 3.Connecting the operating coil to the auxiliary supply voltage or controlvoltage of the low-voltage network 19 by closing the switch results inthe closing of the switch-disconnector or power circuit breaker 3. Whenthe operating coil 36 is de-energized, the switch-disconnector or powercircuit breaker 3 is open, i.e., de-energized.

[0045] The devices—for closing and opening of the line sections of thecontrol circuits 33, 34, 35—in the plug-in connector elements 25, 26,29, and 30 are cable links or contact bridges, which together withrespective contact pairs (not labelled) in the plug-in connectorelements 9, 31, 8, and 32 create a line link in the circuits 33, 34, and35 to connect to the 12 or 14 V network 19.

[0046] The devices for closing and opening the line sections 33, 34, 35may also be switches, in particular micro-switches, which will beactuated to close after the contacts of the high-voltage side of theplug-in connectors 27, 68, 28, 69, and will be opened before the openingof the contacts of the high-voltage side.

[0047] In the embodiment of a mobile device shown in FIG. 2, thecomponents that correspond to components of the device 1 shown in FIG. 1carry the same reference labels. One difference between the embodimentshown in FIG. 2 and the device according to FIG. 1 is that in place ofthe control circuits 33, 34, 35 only one control circuit 41 is provided,which extends between all of the loads of the high-voltage network,e.g., the traction drive unit 14, the compressor unit 15, and theswitching and distribution unit 7.

[0048] The control circuit 41 is supplied in the switching anddistribution unit 7 with control voltage by the 12-14 V network andextends through the series-arranged contact bridges 39, 37—if theplug-in connector elements 8, 29 and 9, 25 are connected—to a plug-inconnector 42, one element of which (not labelled) is arranged in or atthe housing 6, and the other element of which (not labelled) isconnected to a twin-wire cable 43. On its other end, the cable 43 isconnected to one element (not labelled) of a plug-in connector 44, theother element of which is arranged in the housing of the compressor unit15. In the compressor unit 15, a line extends from the plug-in connector44 to the plug-in connector element 31, which—when connected with theplug-in connector element 26—causes a line section of the controlcircuit 41 to be closed all the way to one element (not shown) of aplug-in connector 45, from where a second line runs in the compressorunit 15 to the plug-in connector 44. The plug-in connector 45 isconnected via a twin-wire line 46 to one element (not labelled) of aplug-in connector 47, the other element of which is arranged in thehousing of the traction drive unit 14 and is connected via a twin-wireline to the plug-in connector element 32, whereby the twin-wire line maybe bridged by the contact bridge 40 of the plug-in connector element 30.

[0049] Through the cables 43 and 46, the control circuit extends back tothe plug-in connector 42, from where a line is connected to the input ofthe control unit 10 to detect the control voltage.

[0050] Pulling one of the plug-in connector elements 25, 26, 29, 30 byhand causes the control circuit 41 to be interrupted, so that thecontrol unit 10 will no longer detect the control voltage andimmediately will initiate the opening or de-energizing of theswitch-disconnector or power circuit breaker 3. After the plug-inconnectors 27, 28, 68, 69 are plugged in, the control voltage will notbe applied to the sensing input of the control unit 10 until all of theplug-in connectors have been connected. Due to the fact that during thecombining of the plug-in connectors, the plug-in connector contactsassociated with the contact bridges 37 to 40 will be connected after,and that during the separating of the plug-in connectors the contactswill be separated earlier than the contacts of the high-voltage side,the contacts of the high-voltage side will be in a de-energized stateduring the connecting and disconnecting, which rules out any danger tothe personnel handling the plug-in connectors.

[0051]FIG. 3 shows in a longitudinal section—partially schematic—oneelement of a plug-in connector, e.g., the plug-in connector 27 with theplug-in connector elements 9 and 25. The other half is executedsymmetrically with respect to the shown half. The plug-in connector 68has the same design, but may differ with respect to the gauge of thecontacts on the high-voltage side on account of a different currentintensity. The plug-in connectors 28, 69 possess an identical lockingmechanism.

[0052] The plug-in connector element 25 is equipped with a pair oflatching elements 48, each of which comprises one lever arm 50 equippedwith a detent 49 and one lever arm 52 intended to be manually pressedagainst the housing surface 51. The lever arms 50, 52 are connected tothe housing surface 51 via a resilient segment 53.

[0053] A resilient arm 56 of the plug-in connector element 25 projectsfrom a shoulder 55 that is recessed into the front side 54. At its tip,the arm 56 is equipped with a detent 58, which—if the plug-in connectorelements 9, 25 are connected—projects into an opening 59 of the plug-inconnector element 9 and extends in parallel to the centre line 57 of theplug-in connector 27. The opening 59 has a stop face 60. The lever arm50 possesses a through-opening 61, which is situated above the housingsurface 62 of the plug-in connector element 9 when the plug-in connectorelements 9, 25 are in the connected state.

[0054] The plug-in connector element 25 is equipped with blade contacts63—only one of which is labelled in FIG. 3—which engage into sockets orspring contacts when the plug-in connector elements 9, 25 are in theconnected state. These are heavy-duty contacts. Two additional bladecontacts, of which only one contact 65 of the plug-in connector element25 is illustrated, engage into socket contacts 66 of the plug-inconnector element 9. The contacts 65, 66 are associated with the controlcircuit 33, 41, respectively, and consequently close after the contacts63, 64 when the plug-in connector elements are being combined and openprior to the contacts 63, 64 when the plug-in connector elements arebeing separated.

[0055] During the combining of the plug-in connector elements 9, 25, thedetent 58 at first snaps into place at the stop face 60, while thecontacts 63, 64 are being connected and the detent 49 glides along thehousing surface 62. Pushing the elements further together results in thedetent 58 moving inside the cavity until the detent 49 snaps into placein a notch 67 of the housing surface 62, whereby the contacts 65, 66 areconnected to each other. At the time when the detent 58 snaps into placeat the stop face 60, the contacts 65, 66 are still open. The contacts65, 66 only close once the plug-in connector element 25 has been pusheda bit further into the plug-in connector element 9.

[0056] To separate the element, the lever arm 52 is pressed down, whichcauses the detent 49 to leave the notch 47. Now, the plug-in connectorelement 25 may be moved away from the plug-in connector element 9 in theaxial direction, whereby the contacts 65, 66 are separated. The axialmovement is stopped when the detent 58 comes in contact with the stopface 60. At this time, the contacts 63, 64 are still closed. In thisposition, the opening 61 allows access to the arm 56, which isthen—through the opening 61—pushed down beyond the stop face 60, to beable to continue the axial movement to separate the plug-in connectorelements 9, 25 and the contacts 63, 64.

[0057] Thus, the invention provides the following procedures at theswitching and distribution unit 7 to insure a safety-disconnect when theplug-in connectors are or have been separated:

[0058] 1. The high-voltage plug-in connectors at the control andswitching unit are equipped with additional jumpers.

[0059] 2. The control line (e.g., class 30 b) is looped in seriesthrough all high-voltage connectors, all the way to the control input ofthe control unit 10 to open the switch-disconnector 3.

[0060] 3. Two steps are necessary to separate the plug-in connectorelements:

[0061] Release the first (mechanical) connector interlock. Pulling theplug-in connector element to the second (mechanical) connector interlockcauses the jumper, which conducts the 12 V or another control voltage ofthe above-described type, to be interrupted and, as a result, the one orseveral switch-disconnector(s) de-energize(s) all high-voltage plug-inconnections.

[0062] The first connector interlock allows access to the secondinterlock (ensures that the plug-in connectors can not be separatedwithout a safety shutdown).

[0063] Only now is it possible to completely separate the plug-inconnector.

[0064] The time sequence can be enforced by a two-stage mechanicalconnector design.

[0065] Furthermore, the invention provides for the following proceduresat the loads to ensure load interruption:

[0066] 1. The high-voltage connectors at the loads are equipped withadditional jumpers.

[0067] 2. Additionally, the voltage supply for the control electronicsof the high-voltage loads is looped through these jumpers of thehigh-voltage connectors.

[0068] 3. Two steps are required to separate the plug-in connectorelements:

[0069] Release the first (mechanical) connector interlock. Pulling theconnector element all the way to the second (mechanical) connectorinterlock causes the control voltage supply to be interrupted, as aresult of which the control electronics detect a fault (open circuit,etc.) and cause the load to enter a safe state. It is state of the artin control technology to bring the load or the movement to a safe statein the event that a fault/malfunction is detected.

[0070] The first connector interlock allows access to the secondinterlock (ensures that the plug-in connectors can not be separatedwithout a safety shutdown).

[0071] Only now is it possible to completely separate the plug-inconnectors.

[0072] This time sequence can be enforced by a two-stage mechanicalconnector design.

[0073] 4. A failure of the internal voltage supply of the loads resultsin the failure of the CAN bus 11. Consequently, the failure of a loadand its CAN can also be used as a redundant de-energizing of theswitch-disconnector, by means of the CAN.

[0074] Other interrupting devices may be installed instead of jumpers,e.g. micro-switches, etc., whereby one can use a configuration with orwithout connector interlocks. A mechanical connector interlock isespecially favourable to ensure that the connector can not be separatedwithout a safety shutdown.

1. Mobile device with an apparatus to generate electrical energy, whichis connected to an energy distribution network that contains electricalloads, which may be connected to branches of an energy distributionnetwork that is connected to the energy generating system, and of whichat least one is designed for the propulsion of the mobile device,characterized in that the electrical loads can be manually coupled anddetached—using flexible lines (23, 24) that are equipped with plug-inconnector elements (25, 26; 29, 39) at their ends—to/from the plug-inconnector elements (9, 31) of a switching and distribution unit, furthercharacterized in that the plug-in connector elements (26, 30) that arearranged at the load-side ends of the flexible lines (23, 24) can bemanually coupled and detached to/from plug-in connector elements (31,32) of the loads, further characterized in that each of the plug-inconnector elements (25, 26, 29, 30) attached to the flexible lines (23,24) contains a device with contact means to close and open a linesection of a control circuit (33, 34, 35, 41) and these contact meansclose later and open earlier than contacts in the plug-in connectorelements (9, 25; 26, 31; 8, 29; 30, 32) associated with the branches (4,5) of the energy distribution network, further characterized in thatopening one or several contact means of the devices opens at least onecommon switching means arranged in the branches (4, 5) in the switchingand distribution unit (7) and/or switching means arranged in theindividual branches, and that the one or several switching means areenabled to be closed when the one and/or several switching means areclosed.
 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the oneand/or several switching means are switch-disconnectors (3) or powercircuit breakers.
 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized inthat opening the device at a load brings the load to a standstill. 4.Device according to one or several of the preceding claims,characterized in that the devices for closing and opening of linesections are contact bridges or cable links (37, 38, 39, 40) withconnector contacts in the plug-in connector elements (25, 26, 29, 30)attached to the flexible lines, and that these connector contacts may becoupled to connector contacts in the plug-in connector elements (9, 31;8, 32) of the switching and distribution unit (7) or of the electricalloads.
 5. Device according to one or several of claims 1 to 3,characterized in that the devices for closing and opening of linesections are switching devices, which are arranged in one plug-inconnector element of the plug in connectors and which are put in aclosed state by the other plug-in connector element when the plug-inconnectors have been combined and which are open if the other plug-inconnector element is absent.
 6. Device according to claim 5,characterized in that the switching devices are attached in or on theplug-in connector elements that are arranged in the switching anddistribution unit (7) or in the loads.
 7. Device according to at leastone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loads areequipped with control units (12, 13) to detect the states of the contactmeans of the respective devices for opening and closing of the linesection, and that the control units (12, 13) are connected via a bus(11) to a control unit (10), which is located in the switching anddistribution unit (7) and is designed to control the one or severalswitching means.
 8. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6,characterized in that a control circuit (41) is provided, which isconnected to the control unit (10) of the switching and distributionunit (7), and which is only closed if all the plug-in connector elements(9, 25; 26, 31; 8, 29; 30, 32) of all the plug-in connectors (27, 28,29, 30) of the energy distribution network are connected.
 9. Deviceaccording to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in thata source for an auxiliary supply voltage or control voltage is provided,which is applied to the operating coil (36) of the switching meansand/or the operating coils of the several switching means after beingenabled by the control unit (10) in the switching and distribution unit(7), if all of the contact means of the devices for opening and closingof line sections in the plug-in connectors (27, 28, 29, 30) are closed.10. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims,characterized in that the energy generating device (2) is a fuel cellwith an output voltage of the same magnitude as the voltage of aheavy-current low-voltage network.
 11. Device according to at least oneof the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary supplyvoltage or control voltage is the operating voltage of an electricalnetwork (19) that has a lower nominal voltage than the energydistribution network, which has a voltage of the same magnitude as aheavy-current low-voltage network, and comprises a storage battery (22)in addition to electrical loads.
 12. Device according to at least one ofthe preceding claims, characterized in that each of the control units(12, 13) in the loads contains a processor (17, 18), one input of whichis connected to a tap of the respective device for opening and closingof a line section and the control voltage or auxiliary supply voltage isapplied to these inputs if the contact means of the device are closed,further characterized in that the processors (17, 18) are connected viathe bus (11) to the control unit (10) in the switching and distributionunit (7), that one input of the control unit (10) in the switching anddistribution unit (7) is connected to a tap of the series-connecteddevices for closing and opening of the line sections of the controlcircuit (33)—that is supplied by the control voltage or auxiliary supplyvoltage—in the switching and distribution unit (7), and that the oneand/or several switching means are enabled to be closed if the auxiliarysupply voltage or control voltage is applied to the input of the controlunit (10) and the inputs of the processors.
 13. Device according to atleast one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug-inconnector (27, 28, 29, 30) possesses a double mechanical interlock witha first locking mechanism engaging after the contacts of the energydistribution network with the higher voltage have closed and a secondlocking mechanism engaging after the closing of the contacts for theauxiliary supply voltage or control voltage, which close later than thecontacts of the energy distribution network, and that the two lockingmechanisms are designed so that the first locking mechanism may bedisconnected to separate the contacts of the energy distribution networkafter the second locking mechanism has been disconnected and thecontacts of the auxiliary supply voltage or control voltage are open.14. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims,characterized in that it is executed as a motor vehicle.